Parenting Support Programs
The Parenting Support Programs include a statewide system of community-based parenting education and family support services through purchase of services contracts and through leadership in statewide early childhood initiatives and consortia. Funded programs recognize and build on parents’ strengths and address their need for information about child development, communication and guidance skills, other life-cycle issues, awareness of community resources, and community and cultural support.
The Parent Line is a free, statewide telephone line that provides support, encouragement, informal counseling, information, and referral to callers experiencing concerns about their child’s development and behavior or who have issues regarding family stresses or questions about community resources. The Parent Line also provides referral information on other providers in the community as well as the services listed below.
Contact the Parent Line at 526-1222 and on the Neighbor Islands, 1-800-816-1222.
The Parent Line Distribution Office publishes and distributes statewide, the Keiki ‘O Hawaii which is an early childhood developmental newsletter distributed in the hospitals to first-time parents, the Teddy Bear Post parent education newsletter, distributed to families of preschool age children, the Keiki ‘O Hawaii Parent Resource Directory which gives parents information on accessing services and is distributed to parents of young children and to agencies helping them, and the A Happy Start brochure distributed to parents of children who are preparing to enter kindergarten.
HomeReach provides short-term home visitation services to resolve a parenting concern or family crisis.
Mobile Outreach (play and learn groups) provides activities and programs to isolated or homeless families that promote age-appropriate parent-child interaction, communication, and positive discipline.
Community-based Parent Support Groups (via The Baby Hui) provides parenting and appropriate child development/guidance support through volunteer led peer parent groups.
Respite Services provides care giving relief, parent education and support on Oahu to high risk families having crises or difficulties with parenting and family stress.
Services for Children who have Witnessed Violence (via The Family Peace Center) is intended to help children cope with their emotional responses to violence and by helping the family create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for the child by teaching parents to have age-appropriate expectations and an awareness of the effects of violence on children.
Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund is a legislated(HRS §350B) public/private partnership with the Hawaii Community Foundation for statewide grant-making activities to assure a network of primary prevention services and programs to support and strengthen families and to prevent child abuse and neglect.